Econet Dev Sep09
- 1. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Econet development using degraded lands: a case of Lugansk and Rostov Oblast Final Conference - Eurasian steppe project, 29th September 2009 Theo van der Sluis, Conservation expert This project is funded by the EU
- 2. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Overview Introduction Ecological Networks (ECONET) Approach: ECONET design Lugansk Oblast Rostov Oblast Transboundary corridors Re-use of degraded lands Integrate Agriculture-Ecology: Possible farm models Conclusions This project is funded by the EU
- 3. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Introduction Globally, there is a rapid loss of biodiversity, due to factors like: habitat loss habitat fragmentation decrease in habitat quality hunting, poaching, etc. This project is funded by the EU
- 4. Land use changes Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Land use intensity: loss of biodiversity Towards sustainability This project is funded by the EU
- 5. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Introduction Eological networks are important to: Maintain biodiversity (maintain larger territories) Allow for re-establishment of species (meta-population dynamics) Prepare for climate change This project is funded by the EU
- 6. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Current steppe habitat This project is funded by the EU
- 7. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Ukrainian ecological network This project is funded by the EU
- 8. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Steppe habitat Lugansk-Rostov This project is funded by the EU
- 9. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe ECONET Rostov Detailed steppe network Next stage: ECONET other ecosystems? Implementation This project is funded by the EU
- 10. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe ECONET Lugansk Still a general outline Next stage detailed identification network This project is funded by the EU
- 11. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Investigations: 10-days field expedition 丕从舒亳仆舒 仂亳 This project is funded by the EU
- 12. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Transboundary corridors This project is funded by the EU With contributions of: O. Demina, F. Forosjoek, T. van der Sluis, I. Zagorudnik, 2009
- 13. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Detailed regional approach Lugansk This general approach is still theoretical, on paper: next step is implementation! This project is funded by the EU
- 14. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Re-use of degraded steppe ecosystems: combining Biodiversity conservation and Land use Jules Gosselink, Herman van Keulen/Jan Verhagen Pieter Slim, Theo van der Sluis Project team Ukraine Steppe Restoration BeleidsOndersteunend Onderzoek, Cluster Internationaal BOCI Funding by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture / Netherlands Embassy This project is funded by the EU
- 15. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Field visit April 09 This project is funded by the EU
- 16. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Observations Lugansk Oblast Farming opportunities In some areas a lot of fallow land, in other areas is a dire need for grazing land Steppe can be used for extensive grazing, hay making, produce concentrates (barley, maize); integrate this in farm plan Steppe can provide grazing land at low costs Farmland can compensate for lack of nutrients, by growing Sanfoin (onobrychis), Lucerne etcetera to supplement feed Local livestock breeds are adapted to steppe Extensive farming is excellent for steppe and buffer zones This project is funded by the EU
- 17. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe This project is funded by the EU
- 18. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Observations Lugansk Oblast Restoration opportunities Overgrazed land can easily restore, if properly grazed and managed but: it takes time. Ploughed lands can be restored either by: Natural restoration, with extensive grazing Sometimes: technical measures, re-sowing of steppe.. But: this may also result in disturbance, and increase in ruderals Herding of livestock does improve biodiversity But: only if extensive grazing Steppe diversity can be better maintained with livestock farming This project is funded by the EU
- 19. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Observations Lugansk Oblast (cont.) Steppe restoration recover of what was lost in area from abandoned land Restore relation vegetation and ungulates Restoration opportunities by connecting isolated steppe areas Empower Zapovidnyki This project is funded by the EU
- 20. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Case : farm with steppes at Bilovodsk Existing farm with cropland, steppes + 300 ewes Future plans: 1000 beef cattle + 3000 sheep Start with 100 cows (if credits are found) Female calves kept for expansion Male calves for beef (in 1 year 350 kg : ???) Summer: steppes + concentrates (home grown) Farm steppes (between cropland) using summer camps: cows with calves Steppes further away: sheep + older beef cattle This project is funded by the EU Idea: also dairy cows, because of existing
- 21. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Case: farm with steppes at Belovodsk Existing farm with cropland, steppes + 300 ewes Future plans: expand to 1000 beef cattle + 3000 sheep Sheep: 300 ewes (2 lambs/ewe; breed: Romanov en Askania) Start with 100 cows (Heifer int.) Female calves kept for expansion Male calves for beef (in 1 year 350 kg increment) May-November: steppes + concentrates (home grown) Farm steppes (between crop land) using summer camps: cows with calves Steppes further away: sheep + older beef cattle Advice: include dairy cows, because of existing summer camps + experience with milking in summer camps. This project is funded by the EU
- 22. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe General Experience with summer camps and outdoor milking (mobile apparatus) exists Which and when animals graze (sheep and cattle): depends on distance From near the road/farm to far away (> 2.5 km): 1. dairy cows, 2. animals with young, 3. beef animals Cases can be used as examples for learning communities with (new) farmers and Zapovidnik This project is funded by the EU
- 23. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe General: SWOT analyses Lugansk Oblast STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Low costs land rent Enterpreneurship Low costs labour Access to capital (bank loans) Good, productive soils Marketing opportunities degradable pr. Availability high-value nature Market imperfections (beef, wheat, Unique position steppe in Europe sunflower OK) Agrarian knowledge system Position Zapovidnyki within stakeholders Good financial support programme Distance to markets Climate water availability in summer OPPORTUNITIES Occurrence endemic diseases Basis for infrastructure exists No drought-risk management Opportunity for Green tourism Cultural Identity Steppe THREATS Combining animal husbandry with steppe Migration and social changes (youth) Restoration steppe grasslands Volatility of world markets Access to West/East European markets Political stability Diversification Anticipated climate change & impact on Sheep farming on steppe steppe Demand agro-products, milk, beef, honey No tradition of crop insurance Development Econet This project is funded by the EU
- 24. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe And. Currently preparation of follow-up project ECONET Lugansk, funded by Netherlands Embassy/Ministry of Agriculture: BOCI Lugansk Econet, regional development Develop strategy for implementation Detailed designs for few pilot areas Integration of economic functions in ECONET Focus on Communication with stakeholders UNDP Steppe Conservation program, corridors and defragmentation We hope to continue our activities, to develop this approach for implementation of ECONET at the local level This project is funded by the EU
- 25. Sustainable Integrated Land Use of the Eurasian Steppe Thank You! This project is funded by the EU